The Chhattisgarh government, now under BJP rule, is set to reintroduce the Charan Paduka Yojana, designed to benefit tendu leaf collectors. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will formally launch the program at the end of June. This decision fulfills a promise made under the central government’s ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ initiative.
Originally established in 2005 by the government led by Dr. Raman Singh, the scheme was later shut down during the Congress government’s term. The BJP government has now chosen to revive the project. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap explained that the scheme is being restarted to aid and respect tendu leaf collectors.
The Charan Paduka Yojana’s core purpose is to offer footwear to tendu leaf collectors, especially those from tribal communities. The footwear distribution was initially limited to male collectors in 2005, but women were included in 2008.